Week of August 31, 2003 Thursday, September 4 2003 | dmac Two New Aiff/Wav Sample CDs from Kid Nepro Kid Nepro has just released two new CD's in AIFF and WAV file formats with over 2000 new samples. Vintage Synths contains samples from Kid Nepro's large collection of classic analog and digital synths. Analog sounds from the ARP2600, Mellotron, Mini Moog, Prophet-5, Prophet VS, OB8, Super Jupiter, Matrix-12, Xpander, Jupiter-8, Juno 106 and Juno 60 and more. Digital samples from the DX7, TX802, Synclavier, Fairlight, Voyerta, Wavestation and much more. Killer Keyboards has an assortment of classic keyboard samples. Rhodes and Wurlitzer Electric Pianos, Steinway and Electric Grand Pianos, Hammond B3, Farfisa and Pipe Organs, D6 Clavinets, Harpsichords and a MIDI mix of layered keyboard textures. Each CD is priced at $75. Special bundle prices are available on all of Kid Nepro's AIFF and WAV file CD's. Complete info, soundlists and MP3 audio demos can be found on their web site. For more information, visit their web site at www.kidnepro.com. Wednesday, September 3 2003 | dmac TraXmusic update. Guys we'v just received a good article on drumming techniques.  "Feeling" when drumming: ideas for players and programmers, just submitted by Michael McGrath. Nice article! Check it out in the reviews section. Wednesday, September 3 2003 | dmac OmniStudio USB Interface Ships M-Audio has announced shipment of the OmniStudio USB, a complete USB audio/MIDI studio interface. The new interface combines the features of the Quattro USB and Omni Studio into a single compact 24-bit/96kHz interface for USB computers. The 4 x 4 architecture is software configurable for 4 x 4 operation at 16-bits, or 2 x 4 or 4 x 2 operation at 24-bits, thereby getting the most out of the bandwidth available via the USB specification. The unit sports an on-board mixer along with numerous connections for auxiliary I/O, effects sends/returns, monitoring and more. OmniStudio USB is designed for both mobile and desktop operation and includes detachable rack-mount ears. OmniStudio USB is now shipping at an MSRP of $599.99. For more information, visit their web site at m-audio.com. Wednesday, September 3 2003 | dmac PrimeSounds release new sample CD - Session Strings. Session Strings is a multisampled strings toolkit for producers of all sorts of contemporary music: pop, R'n'B, dance music etc. Based on masterfully played and pristinely recorded live performances, these carefully edited program files turn you and your sampler into a tight and versatile string ensemble. Session Strings gives you four different instrument groups, each with its own set of playing styles. The material on Session Strings was performed by Stockholm Session Strings, a 12-piece String ensemble famous for their work with artists such as Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Westlife. All instruments were recorded using Neumann U87 microphones placed at a distance of approximately 1 meter/3 feet. The end result was created by blending the "dry" signal with room ambience picked up by two Bruel&Kjaer 4006 microphones. More info about Session Strings: primesounds-cd.com. Tuesday, September 2 2003 | dmac TraXmusic update: Green Machine Amp review. Guys fancy getting a classic guitar amp sound for free: Green Machine Amp, our new review justed added in ther reviews section. The owners plan to further develop to GM 2 over the next few months, but this will come at a price, as it won't be free any more. So read the review and appreciate what you get for free, then go grab your version now! Monday, September 1 2003 | dmac Steinberg Now Shipping Studio Case Software Bundle Steinberg is now shipping Studio Case: a suite of virtual instruments combined with Cubase technology to form a complete music production software package -- all in one box at a special bundle price. The Studio Case includes five virtual instruments and Cubase SE, a streamlined version of the latest Cubase SL and SX digital audio sequencers. The package contains over 700 MB of sounds, is upward file compatible with Cubase SL, SX and Nuendo, works on Mac OSX and Windows 2000 or XP, and offers 24/96 kHz professional audio quality. The Studio Case offers the entry computer musician all the software needed to begin making music. It also serves an existing Cubase user well as a Virtual Instrument system with VST System Link support. And competitive users can inexpensively step into Cubase technology or simply enjoy a suite of VST instruments. What's inside Studio Case? Cubase SE Sequencer. Virtual Guitarist EE SE. Groove Agent SE Virtual Drummer. The Grand SE Piano. D'cota SE Synthesizer. HALion SE Sampler. Steinberg's Studio Case has a retail value of $599.99 and is available at Steinberg dealers for a special bundle price of $299.99. For more information, visit their web site at www.steinberg.net. Monday, September 1 2003 | dmac FXpansion VST-AU Adapter v1.20 beta released FXpansion have made the latest beta of the VST-AU Adapter, v1.20, available to all registered customers. This new version adds support for plug-ins from Applied Acoustics and Native Instruments, supports the Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack applications from Apple, Digital Performer 4.1 from MOTU, and is fully compatible with OS X 10.3 and the G5.